Events

Dementia Information Service The new Dementia Information Service is commissioned by Milton Keynes council and the CCG.

Dementia Support Workers will be delivering support and information to people living in Milton Keynes and working closely with the Specialist Memory Service to provide support for people following a diagnosis.

Dementia Support Workers can also support people with memory concerns to live well.

What is Disabled Access Day?

In 2015 Disabled Access Day began as a day to celebrate good access and to create opportunities for people to try something new. The day was very much about highlighting the fantastic access that already exists in places, experiences such as going on a touch tour, enjoying a relaxed peformance, sensory experiences, signed events, level access and of course a warm welcome!

The Day was founded against the backdrop of wanting to make it easy for disabled people to try something new. Often these activities and experiences are hard to arrange or create a sense of anxiety and fear.

Our founder, Paul's experience of wanting to try getting on a bus with his powerchair but not in the rush hour of a weekday service was the catalyst. He describes it as a day for focusing on creating opportunities for people to attend a series of organised events where they will receive a warm welcome, a chance to try something new and the memory of having done something different. He wants 2019's events and experiences to have a legacy. Just like his telling the story of trying a bus for the first time.

Disabled People are encouraged having tried something new, or visited somewhere new, to share their story so that others can follow. A review on Euan's Guide, a tweet on social media or a blog post all help to make it easier for others considering a similar visit or experience.

We're asking disabled people, their friends and families for 2019 is simply "Try something new and send a review"

Why have Disabled Access Day?

Disabled Access Day stems from an experience of Founder Paul Ralph in the summer of 2014. A powerchair user, Paul knew that Lothian Buses in his hometown of Edinburgh were wheelchair accessible. However, he hadn't tried them out for himself, so he didn't know if he could use buses with his own chair. He went to an Open day event at the Lothian bus depot where he was invited to try out the wheelchair access on a double decker bus. From that point on, Paul became a bus lover because he knew he could board any bus in Edinburgh.

This experience became an idea that there should be more opportunities like this out there for disabled people who see things they would like to try but aren't quite sure how they'd get on. A series of focussed 'try something new' events and opportunities that otherwise wouldn't be so easy to arrange.

When is Disabled Access Day?

Disabled Access Day 2019 takes place on Saturday 16th March. If you are interested in taking part or would like to receive all the news as we move closer to the event you can sign up for the Disabled Access Day newsletter.

Who is behind Disabled Access Day?

Disabled Access Day was created from Paul's original idea and supported by Euan and the team at Euan's Guide. The intiative is powered by Euan's Guide.

Euan's Guide is the disabled access review website that helps disabled people, their friends and families find new places to go and share their stories of the places they have visited. The focus of Disabled Access Day 2019 will be to try something new and leave a review on Euan's Guide, so that you can give other disabled people the confidence to try something similar.

The Dementia Information Service is commissioned by Milton Keynes council and the CCG. Our Dementia Support Workers deliver support and information to people living in Milton Keynes and work closely with the Specialist Memory Service, to provide support for people following a diagnosis. Dementia Support Workers can also support people with memory concerns to live well. For further information please contact Safia Khatoun or Michelle Marsh on 01908 669404.

Disability Awareness Day ("DAD") is the world's largest 'not for profit' voluntary-led disability exhibition, held annually in a huge tented village within the grounds of Walton Hall Gardens in Warrington.

Visitors to the show can expect to find around 250 exhibitors, equipment suppliers, transport, holidays, leisure, employment, support groups and services. PLUS a Sports Zone including Scuba diving, an Arts Marquee, Centre Arena and family entertainment. The show opens at 10am and finishes at 5pm, and entry is FREE with a FREE programme. You can also download a copy of the 2018 programme here

About DAD

Have you ever wondered what DAD week and Disability Awareness Day are like behind the scenes? Read this fascinating first hand account from Dave Thompson MBE DL, the Co-ordinator of the event.

The Aims of DAD

Disability Awareness Day is a pan disability event which promotes a can do culture focussing on what disabled people can do throughout life and work. The show has three main aims:

To highlight what statutory, private or voluntary services are available to enable disabled people to stay independent.

To promote equipment and aids that could maintain or improve independence, not just what is offered by statutory service providers, we want everyone to see the best and/or latest designs

To provide an opportunity to showcase what disabled people can do, in the field of Sport, Arts and Entertainment

As well as fulfilling all these aims every year the show also gives everyone who comes a really good day out filled with interest, fun and entertainment!

Disability Awareness Day 2019 will take place on Sunday 14th July at Walton Hall and Gardens.